Boone signals shift at shortstop, starts José Caballero as Anthony Volpe struggles

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone started José Caballero at shortstop Wednesday in place of Anthony Volpe and described the shortstop situation as “day to day,” a sign he is growing more resigned to Volpe’s uneven season.

Boone said the club would determine who starts Thursday’s series finale after Wednesday’s game and admitted he was surprised Volpe has not yet produced more consistent offensive results in his third year as a big leaguer. A day after saying he still viewed Volpe as the Yankees’ shortstop, Boone offered a more hedged response when asked whether that remained the case.

For the better part of five-plus months this season, Boone has been a staunch defender of Volpe, often providing public support as the shortstop worked through slumps. The move to start Caballero represents a tangible change in approach by the manager, who until recently had repeatedly reaffirmed his confidence in Volpe’s role.

Boone’s comments underscored the team’s pragmatic stance: the shortstop start for Thursday would hinge on performance and availability, rather than a firm long-term declaration. While Boone did not lay out a timeline for a permanent change, his acknowledgment of surprise about Volpe’s offensive progress suggested lowered expectations that Volpe would quickly revert to earlier production levels.

Caballero’s start offered the Yankees a defensive and lineup alternative while Volpe attempts to correct course. The team has not announced a longer-term plan for the position, and Boone indicated the situation remains fluid.

Volpe, entering his third major league season, has been a focal point of scrutiny as the Yankees evaluate their infield alignment late in the campaign. Boone’s measured shift — from repeated public backing to describing the role as day-to-day and inserting another player into the lineup — marks the most overt sign yet that the organization is prepared to manage the shortstop spot on a game-by-game basis.

The Yankees’ immediate decisions about the position will be driven by performance in upcoming games and any further communication from the coaching staff. Boone’s recent remarks and Wednesday’s lineup choice signal a willingness to adjust the team’s approach amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding Volpe’s offensive consistency.